In a recent interview with VIBE, R&B crooner Ginuwine hit out at former mentor Timbaland. The 39 year old expressed his displeasure at being shunned by the hitmaker when recording his most recent LP, ‘A Mans Thoughts’, which debuted at #9 on the Billboard 200 last June.
Some visitors will remember Ginuwine, along with Timbaland, Missy Elliott, and the late Aaliyah, were a clique of sorts back in the 90’s. Now, it appears relationships are fractured to say the least.
Check out what the former ‘Bachelor’ had to say about his ol’ pal after the jump…
“He really hasn’t been interested in working with me, so I can’t speak on the present,” Ginuwine tells VIBE of Timbaland. “But back in the days, it spoke for itself as far as him being the most sought after producer. Music was boring until he came out with that new sound. Back then, I would have described it as futuristic because it was something that had not been done and people jumped on it. If it wasn’t for him making that style as hot as it is, a lot of producers that’s out now maybe wouldn’t even be here.”
The singer adds that he’s still upset at Timbaland for not supporting him promotionally on his 2009 project, A Man’s Thoughts, despite producing a song for the album.
“Me and Tim were real close at one point. A lot of the times that I reached out, there were a bunch of excuses,” explains Ginuwine. “I begged and pleaded with him because I felt a certain way but I was like, is it just a bad vibe that I’m picking up on? Maybe I’m bugging out, I don’t know. But it came out to be true and I still feel like he owes me an apology for that. The reason I’m pissed off at him now is because of what he did. I would’ve been cool and not bothered him if he would’ve said, ‘Nah, I’m too busy,’ or gave me the lame excuse like he’s been giving me. But don’t do it and then not do what you’re supposed to do [to promote the song].”
While some have labeled Timbo a sell-out because of his recent work with pop stars like Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, Ginuwine disagrees.
“I don’t know about the sold out thing. I think any smart businessman would go where the money is bigger, but I also feel like you don’t forget your roots either,” says Ginuwine. “You don’t alienate the people that helped you and started you out… What is it about me now that you just don’t like? And if it is something, say it. I can take truth. I can’t take that kind of stuff and right now I don’t really like him. I really don’t. That’s not being a man.”
Ginuwine is roughly 18 songs into his upcoming seventh album, Elgin, which he hopes to release this August. Producers include Bryan Michael Cox and Diane Warren.
Granted I’m sure there is more to the story than we’re hearing (one, which I’m pretty sure revolves around $$$), Ginuwine makes a potent point about remembering one’s roots. A brief look at Timbaland’s more recent work suggests an almost-outright move to strictly crossover acts (Timberlake, Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado) and less concentrated work in the Urban field.
Perhaps a page may need to be taken from fellow hitmaker Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins’ book; who manages to crank out hits for R&B, Pop, and even Gospel acts. Just a thought…
Randomness: Not taking anything away from ol’ Timbo’s achievements, but I find it oh-so baffling that he continues to command such high upfront fees (up to 6-figure sums for ONE song) despite not cranking out a monster hit in what feels like ages. Things that make you go hmm…